Vibratory conveyer



May 12, 1953 A. MusscHoo-r Erm.

VIBRATORY CONVEYER 11 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 4, 1949 m Mw he Nn www.

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INVENTORS ALBERT' MUSSCHOOZ' 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. MUSSCHOOT ET AL VIBRATORY CONVEYER May 12, 1953 Flled Feb. 4, 1949 May l2, 1953 Filed Feb. 4, 1949 A. MUSSCHOOT El' AL VIBRATORY CONVEYER 11 Sheets-Sheet I5 47 TUR/VE 7 May 12, 1953 nA. MusscHooT E1-AL 2,638,206

VIBRATORY coNvEYER Filed Feb. 4, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jfg. J. 6.

MaY 12, 1953 A. MUsscHooT ETAL 2,638,206

v IBRAToRY coNvEYER Filed Feb. 4, 1949 11 sneets-sheet 5 canalla",

`flllllllll INVENTORJ ALERT MUSsC//oor ,wc/MRD Hamm/MN AN CHAKLES M. YoU/ms.

TTOENEY May 12, 1953 A. MUsscHooT ETAL 2,638,205

vIBRAToRY coNvEYER Filed Feb. 4, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 12, 1953 A. MusscHQo'r ErAL VIBRATORY CONVEYER 11 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Feb. 4, 1949 May 12, 1953 A. MusscHooT ETAL 2,633,206

- VIBRATORY coNvEYER Filed Feb. 4, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 43 A A' 1NVENToRs` fwmw May 12, 1953 A. MUsscHooT Erm. 2,638,206

VIBRATORY CONVEYER Filed Feb. 4, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 w Y l NIH I IN VEN TORS ALBERT Masse/foar R/c//ARD frafeMAA//v o gg CHA/e455' M. Y0U/v6, Je.

May 12, 1953 A. MUsscHooT ETAL 2,638,206

VIBRATORY coNvEYER Filed Feb. 4, 1949 1l Sheets-Sheet l0 ALBERT 01058654007,

/ L CHARLES M. YOU/V6, JB.

m9 BY ATTURNE'Y AND A. MUSSCHOOT El' AL VIBRATORY CONVEYER May 12, 1953 Flled Feb 4, 1949 Patented May 12, 1953 VIBRATORY CONVEYER Albert Musschoot, Park Ridge, and Richard F. Bergmann, Winnetka, Ill., and Charles M. Young, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Link- Belt Company, a corporation of Illinois Application February 4, 1949, Serial No. 74,504

20 Claims. (Cl. 1238-220) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in oscillating conveyors, feeders and screens, and more specifically to the driving and supporting mechanism for devices of this type.

It has been found in present practice that the frequency of vibration and length oi stroke desirable in oscillating devices for conveying, :feeding or screening materials are such that the driving and supporting mechanisms for such devices cannot practically meet the required standards for satisfactory performance. The shock of overcoming the inertia forces of the osciliating body is too great for the driving unit 'to withstand in any but the relatively small ca pacity units, and the supporting mechanisms designed to minimize the inertia forces are difcult to install and adjust' and are subject to early fatigue failures.

It is the object of this invention to provide an oscillating conveyor, feeder, or the like, incorporating reactor elements capable of imparting a reciprocating force to the vibrating mass that is approximately equal to the sum of the forces of inertia and gravity on the mass.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drive mechanism for an oscillating conveyor, feeder, or the like, that will absorb the shock or impact stresses developed by the inertia forces in the vibrating mass.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a drive mechanism for an oscillating conveyor, feeder, or the like, that will gradually apply the torque necessary to Vovercome the starting inertia of the mass which `is to be vibrated.

A further object oi the invention is to provide an integral drive arm for an oscillating conveyor, feeder, or the like, having multiple bearing surfaces for connection to its associated members.

A further object of the invention is to provide an oscillating conveyor, feeder, or the like, that is simple and durable in construction, and economical l, and efficient in operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an oscillating conveyor, feeder, or the like, that can be easily assembled and adjusted in the eld.

Other objects and advantages of the invention lwill be apparent during the course of the'following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part -of Vthis specification, and in which like characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a side elevational view of an oscillating conveyor A.errihodying the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the drive mechanism of the conveyor, 1

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan and horizontal sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig.` 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2,

Figure 5 is a detail plan View partly in sec- Figure 9 is a partly sectional and partly broken away plan View of a fragmentary portion of the conveyor trough specifically illustrating the con` struction of an attachment plate,

Figure l0 is a detail Vertical sectional View taken on line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9,

Figure 11 is a detail vertical sectional View illustrating a modification in the construction of the conveyor trough,

Figure l2 is a detail vertical sectional view illustrating a further modification in the construction of the conveyor trough,

Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line l3-I3 of Fig. 3 showing a fluid'coupling device incorporated in the drive mechanism,

Figure 14 is a plan view of one supporting as semhly for the conveyor of Fig. l,

Figure. l5 is a perspective view of one of the bushings illustrated in Fig. 14,

Figure 16 is an end elevational view, partly in section, of the supporting assembly illustrated in Fig. lll,

Figure 17 is a Vertical sectional view` taken on line I'l-l'l of Fig. 14,.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary Vertical sectional View showing the arrangement of the bushing and set screws in an alternate supporting as-` sembly,

Figure 19 is a side elevational View of the sup` porting assembly illustrated in Fig. 14,

Figure 2G is a sectional view taken along line Ztl- 2li of Fig. 16,

Figure 21 is a plan view of a modified supporting assembly,

IFigure 22 is a perspective View of one of the bushings illustrated in Fig. 2l,

Figure 23 is a side elevational view partly insection of the supporting assembly'illustrated in Fig. 2l,

Figure24 is a'vertical sectional view taken O11 line 24-24 0f Fig. 21,. i

Fig-ure 25 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the arrangement of the bushing and set screws in an alternate supporting assembly to that illustrated in Fig. 21,

Figure 26 is an end elevational view of the supporting assembly illustrated in Fig. 21,.and Y Figure 27 is a sectional view taken on line Zl-Z'i of Fig. 23.

In the drawings, wherein for the purposes oi illustration are shown the preferred embodiments of the invention, and rst particularly 'ieterring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the reference character 2t designates a conveyor base .formed .of .,-par'alle'l I-beams. A motor base plate 'Zaanda drivebase plate Sii rest upon and are suitably connected vto the tops of the l-beams to bridge the space between opposite sides of the base 2t. 'Theedges of the plates 29 and 3G between the I-bearns .are flanged downwardly to strengthen the plates.

vA plurality of longitudinally spaced housings 3l are connected to the top of the base it `for mounting the lower ends oi lthe supporting arms 32. The upper ends .of these arms are .connected to the oscillative .trough 3s.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 14 through for a detail description of the supporting means. ior the trough 33, the housings 3i .are connected to the base 23 by the bolts :it passing through openings 35. The housings 3! are positioned on the parallel I-beams of the base 22 in transversely alined pairs, or so that each housing on one I--beam is transversely opposite an associated housing on the other I-beam.

Two axially parallel, cylindrical openings 36 and 3l extend through each of the housings .3L The 'opening te of each ,one `of the housings 3l oneach of the I-beams is in axial alinement with the opening il of the .housing that is .positioned Opposite to it on vtheother I-beam. Tappedholes 38 extend from the up-per .surfaces of the housings to the openings 37. The locations of the tapped holes 3B with respect to their associated openings 'iii' will vary, as illustrated in Figs. 16 and 18, in conformance with requirements to be further explained in a later paragraph.

Each opening 3l loosely receives .a cylindrical bushing it which is provided with a square opening di extending axially therethrough. The inner end portion of the bushing [it .extends beyond the 'inner face dii of its housing 3i and is enlarged .f

to form a hub (i5. A slot l diametrically splits the hub til and extends for a short distance into the body of the bushing lit. .Opposite halves ,of thehub are provided with alined openings il which are normal to the slot li and on both sides of the huh. These openings Vl receive the 4bolts 413 which are tightened to reduce the crosssectional area of the opening Alli extending axially through the hub The cylindrical body or the bushing' i3 within the opening El in each .housing .3l is provided on one side with a plane area i3 which is initially substantially normal to the tapped holes 38. Set screws 5t are threaded .into the tapped holes 38 to contact the area ii. Further tightening or" the set screws .sii will cause the bush-ing di to rotate in .the housing 3i in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction depending upon the location of lthe tapped holes 38 relative to the `opposite sides oi their associated openings, as illustrated in Figs. 16 and 18.

vEach opening .it receives a tightly iitted tubular bushing 35i composed of a central rubber member having a steel lining and backing. -Each bushing 39 extends slightly beyond the inner face '4U and 4 the outer face il of its housing iii. The bush ings 35i are held in place in the housings 3| by the set screws 42.

The lower end portion oi each supporting arm 32 is provided with a cylindrical projection 5l extending from one side thereof. square opening 52 extends axially through the projection iii and the supporting arm 32. The end portion of the opening 52 in and adjacent to the supporting arm 32 is of slightly smaller dii ension than the .remainder Yof the opening. The lower end portion of the arm and its projection di are split through vthe 'reduced portion of the opening 52 by the cuteout 5.3,. A bolt {iff} connects the sep- ,arated extremities at the lower end portion oi the arm 3?. so that tightening of the bolt reduces thecrossectional arca of the opening .The ,cylindrical projection 5l of each supporting arm 32 is fitted into the tubular bushing Sii of its associated housing 3i and extends inwardly through the bushing. The supporting arms 32 are thereby pivotally vmounted yon the 'housings Si with theirop'enings 52 lin axial alinement with the similarly formed openings 'it in the cylindrical :bushings t3.

'Torsion bars 55, square in cross-section, are mounted with their vend portions in the alined openings "52 and tit. The vbolts 5t are tightened to clamp the ends of each torsion bar to associated bushing is and `supporting arm 32. Each 'bushing dit, therefore, is connected to a supporting arm 32 through a'torsion bar Figs. 19 and 20 show the upper end portion oi each supporting .arm Si as .being provided with an opening for ,mounting `a steel-lziacked and steel-lined resilient .tubular bushing 5l'. Brackets iis are pivotally connected to the supporting arms 32 by the bolts t9 which extend through the alined openings .on each side of the brackets and the tubular bushings 5l which lie between the brach-et sides.

Referring now to Figs. v2l through 27 for a detail description of a modified supporting means for the trough it is noted that the housings 3i are identical to those previously fully de scribed in connection with Figs. 14 Vthrough 20. The .housings 3 i, therefore, will not be described again, and similar reference characters will be used to ydesignate like parts `of the same.

Each opening 36 .inthe housing 3l yof `this modiication receives a .tightly fitted steel-backed and steel-lined resilient tubular bushing Si! which is coextensive with its associated opening. The bushings ii are held in their proper positions in the openings 36 by the set screws 6l.

Each opening 3l loosely receives a cylindrical bushing 62 which is provided'with a square opening 63 extending axially through the bushing. Each bushing 62 vis coextensive with its associated opening 31. The central portion of the cylindrical, exterior surface ofthe bushing 62 is of a slightly reduced diameter :so that the bearing area between the bushing and the surface of the inside opening 31 is limited to the end portions of the bushing.

The portion of each bushing 62 which is of reduced diameter is cut away on one side to provide a plane area 64 that is initially substantially normal to the tapped holes 38. Set screws 65 are threaded into these holes 3B to contact the area Ell. Further tightening of the set screws 65 will cause the bushings 62 to .rotate in the housings ii in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise diregnen .depending upon the location of the tapped holes 38 relative to their associated openings 31, as illustrated in Figs. 23 and 25. i

`It is noted that the tapped holes 38` are illustrated in Figs. 21 through 28 as being limited to one for each opening 31 while the tapped holes 3B,` illustrated in Figs. lithrough 20, are shown to be in pairs. It is to be understood that the number of tapped holes 38 doesnot affect their intended function so llong as the length ofthe bushing with which they are associated can accommodate a plurality of set screws.

The lower end portion ofeach supporting arm 66 is provided with a cylindrical projection 61 eX- tending from one side thereof. A square opening `68 extends axially through the projection 61 and the supporting arm E56.` The end portion of the openings 6B in and adjacent to the supporting arm 6E is of slightly smaller dimensions than the remainder of the opening. The reduced portions of the openings 68 and the openings 63 in the bushings B2 are of identical cross-section.

The cylindrical projection 61 of each supportlng arm E6 is tted into the tubular bushing 6U of its associated housing 3l and extends inwardly through the bushing to the inner face 40 of the housing. Thesupporting arms 66 are thereby pivotally mounted on the housings 3| with the openings 68 in transverse alinement with the openings 63 in the bushings 62.

Torsion bars 69, square in cross-section, are each mounted with one end portion tted into the opening E8 and the other end portion tted into the opening 63 of an oppositely arranged supporting arm 66 and a bushing 62. Each bushing 62 is, therefore, connected to a supporting arm 68 through a torsion bar 69. The frictional fit between the torsion bars 69 and the inner surfaces of the openings 63 and 63 is sufcient to prevent movement of the torsion bars axially of the openings.

The upper end portion of each supporting arm Glis provided with an opening 10 for mounting a-steel-backed and steel-lined resilient bushing 1h Brackets 12 are pivotally connected to the supporting arms GS by the bolts 13 which extend through the alined openings on each side of the brackets and the tubular bushings 1l which lie between the bracket sides.

vvAs illustrated in Figs.` 1 through 4 and 9 through 12, the brackets 58 of each pair of supporting arms, except those mounted adjacent the drive base plate 3i), are connected to a transverse attachment plate 14. The brackets 58 of the supporting arms 32 mounted adjacent the drive attachment plate 30 are connected to a transverse drive attachment plate 15.

4A plurality of `longitudinally arranged channel beams 16 are supported on the several attachment plates 14 and the drive attachment plate 15 in spaced back-to-back relationship, and the associated end portions of adjacent channel beams are connected by tie plates 11.1 Each tie plate `'l1 is permanently connected to the web portion of one channel beam and is detachably connected to the web portion of the adjacent channel beam. In other words, the channel beams 16 are` arranged to form two substantially continuous side `beams extending in parallel relationship along the outer end portions of the attachment plates 14 and the drive attachment plate 15. The channel beams 16 are connected to the attachment plates 14 and drive attachment plate 15 by bolts 18.

.Atrough-shaped pan 19 is positioned between the backs of the channelbeams 16 and is suitably connected thereto by the bolts B0. The Dan 19 rests upon but is not connected to the. attachment plates 14 and the drive attachment plate l5. This pan is formed of any desired number of alined sections and each section is provided at its ends with downwardly ilanged portions 8l for connection to the next adjacent sections by the bolts 82.

In order to provide troughs 33 of different widths, the distance between the parallel channel beams 'F6 may be varied, as illustrated in Figs. 9 through 12, and the width of the troughshaped pan 19 then should be varied in accordance with the distance between the channel beams.

Figs. 9 Iand 10 illustrate an arrangement wherein the channels 16 are connected to the attachment plates 14 `and the drive attachment plate 15 directly above the point of connection of thebrack-ets E8. Fig. l1 illustrates -an arrangement wherein the attachment plates 14 and the drive attachment plate 15 will be extended beyond the brackets 58, and the channels 1'6 will be connected to the attachment and the drive attachment plates outwardly of the brackets. Fig. 12 illustrates an arrangement wherein the channels 16 are connected to the attachment and drive attachment plates inwardly of the brackets 58. It is noted that the variations in trough width provided by the arrangements illustrated in Figs. 9 through 12 require no modication of the supporting arms 32 with their attached brackets 58 or of the attachment or drive attachment plates 14 and 15. The `arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1l, providing for greater trough width, requires an extension in the lengths of the attachment and drive attachment plates 14 and 15 but does not change the positions of the brackets 58 and supporting arms 32.

Assuming now that the supporting means are assembled as described above and that the supporting arms 32 are connected to the oscillative trough 33, the t-orsion bars 55 will be `arranged and conditioned to provide the desired reactor effect with respect to the oscillations of the trough as follows:

As the trough 33 is oscillated between its extreme forward and rearward limits, the inertia forces built up in the trough are reversed each time the direction of travel of the trough is reversed. These inertia forces must be overcome by other forces applied to the trough in opposition to the inertia forces. When a force is applied to the trough in resisting or opposing the inertia forces and such a force is inversely proportional to the inertia forces, the result is called a reactor effect. 4ln other words, the reactor forces provided by the torsion bars 55 are opposed tc the displacement of the trough 33 from its neutral position, 'and are increased as the displacement increases until they reach a maximum at the forward or rearward limit -of each oscillation. If the forces produced by the torsion bars of a given `assembly `are in a forward direction only, there is provided a forward reacting assembly. lf the forces are in a rearward direction only, a rearward reacting assembly is provided. i

The reaction forces provided by the torsion bars 55 result from the twisting of the bars by the pivotal movement of the supporting arms 32 when the trough 33 is oscillatedl This-twisting of the torsion bars 55 sets up stresses in the bars in a direction toI resist the twisting, so that, to

7v prevent stress reversals in the bars, an initial twist is .imparted tothe bars which is never completely relieved as the trough 33 is oscillated. The direction of the 'initial twist in the torsion bars 55 determines the forward or .rearward direction of the reactor effect of the bars` This is duc to the fact that only movement or the supporting arms. L22 in a Idirection to increase the twist in the bars;

55 will produce an effective reacting force.

The direction of the initial twist in the forward and rearward reacting assemblies results from the location 'ofthe set screws 59 in the alternate arrangements illustrated in Figs. 16 and 18.v vThe set screws all in Fig. 15 are positioned for rearward reaction and the set screws '59 .in Fig. 18 are positioned for forward reaction.

To adjust for forward reaction the oscillative trough 33 is moved to the extreme forward position., and the set screws 59, positioned for forward reaction, are tightened to exert pressure on the surfaces il of the bushings 43. This pressure causes the bushings i3 to move in their associated openings 3'! until. twisting ci the torsion bars '55 is suicent to prevent a reversal of the stresses thereon during oscillation oi the trough 33.

Proper tightening of the set screws 5d for the several torsion bars 55 causes the desired torsion- `al stresses to be established in the torsion bars at which point vthe resultant forward and rearward reacting forces are balanced one against the other, and the oscillative trough 353 is biased into its desired neutral position. The neutral or normal position ci the supporting` Aarms 32 will usually lie at an angle of approximately 30 from the vertical, but may vary between 25 and 35, more or less, if the circumstances require such a condition.

The arrangement and adjustment of the modifled supporting structure illustrated in Figs. 2l through 27 is identical to that above described and will not be repeated.

Referring now to Figs. l through 8 'and 13 for a detail description of the driving' mechanism for the oscillative trough 33, bearing housings B3 lare mounted on the drive base plate 3l) to receive the seli-alining roller bearings d which in turn support the driven shaft S5 near each of its end portions. These end portions extend beyond the outer sides of the housings 83 for receiving the driven sheave Sli on one end portion and the ilywheel Sl on the other end portion. The outer sides of the housings are closed by the seal plates E8. The inner opening of each of the housings 83 is *closed by a yseal plate 09.

It is noted that the driven sheave 86 and the ilywheel 8l are keyed to their respective end portions of the shaft E5 and that plates 90 are connected to the ends of the shaft 85 to prevent accidental loosening or disconnection of either of these elements.

A limited amount of adjustment of the transverse alinernent of the bearing housings 83 is provided by the lugs 9i and cap screws 92 assoelated with the drive base plates 3E. This Iadjustment is made possible by the clearance that is provided for the bolts 93 which mount the bearing housings B3 on the base plate Sil.

Roller bearings 94 are mounted on the shouldered portions 95 at the ends of the eccentric middle portion of the driven shaft 85. A drive arm 9B is mountedl on the eccentric middle portion of the driven shaft 85 by the tubular casing 97 of the arm which encloses the middle portion of the shaft and has its enlarged ends 91a,

8. fitted over the outer races of the roller bearings 94. The enlarged ends 91a of the casing 91 are closed outwardly of the bearings 94 by the seal plates 98.

As is illustrated in Figs. 5 through 8, each side of the casing 91 of the driving arm is suitably connected to a side flange 99. The side anges 99 are in turn connected by a web plate |00 cx`` tending therebetween. At the outer end portion of the driving arm 96 the side flanges 99 extend beyond the web plate |00 and are each provided wi h a pair of split clamps |0| Welded to opposite sides of the flange and surrounding a transverse opening formed in the latter. The side anges 99 also are split radially in alinement with the splits in the clamps |0| and bolts |02 are passed through holes formed in the spaced ends of the clamps so that tightening of the bolts reduces the cross-sectional area of the openings formed in the clamps |0| and the ends of the flanges 99.

A split bushing |03, having oil grooves |04 therein, is inserted into each opening through the outer end portion of the arm 96. The splits in the bushings |03 are radially alined with the splits in the clamps |0| and flanges 99. Set screws |05 are employed to prevent the bushings from turning relative to the clamps. The outer clamp l0! on each side of the driving arm 96 is provided with a plurality of tapped holes |06 for receiving the cap screws |01 to fasten a plate |08 across the opening through the clamp.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 disclosed a pair of parallel plates |09 rigidly connected to the bottom surface of the drive attachment plate 15. A pair of angle irons H0 are connected to the transverse edges of the drive attachment plate 'l5 and depend therefrom for connection to the ends of the parallel plates |09. Each of the plates |09 is provided with a clamping element and attaching bolts ||2 for fastening a connecting pin I3 to the bottom of the drive attachment plate le. The ends of the connecting pin ||3 extend outwardly from the plates |99 and the clamping elements and are received in the bushings |03 at the outer end portions of the driving arm 9G. The bushings M33 are contracted around the end portions of the connecting pin ||3 by tightening the bolts H12 so that movement between the pin and the driving arm is limited to a pivotal lit.

Proper positioning of the connecting pin relative to the shaft and its drive arm 96 is prov1ded by the lugs H4 and the cap screws 'H5 mounted therein. The lugs 4 are suitably fastened to the bottoms of the channel beams 16 and clearance is provided for the bolts 18 which connect the channel beams to the drive attachment plate. Adjustment of the cap screws H5, therefore, will move the drive attachment plate relative to the channel beams 1B. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show a unitary drive, consistmg of a motor H6 and a traction type fluid coupling unit H1, suitably adjustably mounted on the motor `base plate 29. Fig. 13 shows the motor shaft H8 rigidly connected to the casing H9 'of the fluid coupling. The casing consists of a pair of impe1lers |20 in spaced face-to-face relationship. A pair of runners i2| are connected backtc-back on hubs |22 which are keyed to the driven shaft |23 and are positioned between the impellers |29 so that a runner faces each impeller.

Two workingfluid circuits are thereby formed, one between yeach of the opposing faces of a runner |2| and an impeller |20. Each working cir- 9 :cuit consists of a series of impeller vanes |24 connected by an annular center ring |25, and a series of oppositely arranged runner vanes |26 connected by a center ring |21. The .center rings |25 and |21 cooperate to form a ring core which rvanes |24. The uid, therefore, is continuously ,circulated about the ring core and reacts against the runner vanes |26 to impart rotary motion tothe runners I2I whereby the shaft |23 is rotated. The axial thrust of each Working circuit is balanced against the other so that the totall end thrust of the unit is substantially eliminated. l

A `drive sheave |28 is keyed to the shaft |23,

and belts |29 drivingly connect the drive sheave to the driven sheave 86. Rotation of the shaft |23, therefore, causes rotation of the sheaves |28 and 8B and the driven shaft 85.

When the shaft 85 is rotated about the axis of its journaledend portions, the eccentrically ,formed portions 95 of the shaft are caused to travel in a circular path about the axis of rotation. This movement of the eccentric portions of the shaft is transmitted through the bearings 94 to the driving arm 96to impart oscillatory motion to the trough 33.

The fluid coupling unit I I1 functions to gradually apply the starting torque load to the motor I I E by permitting slippage between the impellers 1|20 and the runners I2I during starting of the device. This gradual application of the maximum starting torque reduces the power requirements for the motor I I6, and thereby permits the `use vof a smaller horsepower motor. The fluid l.coupling unit II1 further acts to prevent the ,transmission of shock forces from the oscillating and rotating parts through the transmission mechanismand into the motor IIB. n

AThe flywheel 81 functions to reduce any fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the driven shaft 85 and to substantially counterbalance the torsional forces transmitted to the driven shaft` ,to be taken as preferred examples of the same,

and that various changes in the shape, size and .arrangement of parts may be resorted to.. without departing from the spirit of the invention `or the Vscope ,of the subjoined claims.

V,1.In an oscillating conveyor, a conveyngbody, lsupperting, means pivotally connected to said lconveying body, base means, resilient means con ,ftn'g said supporting means to said base means,l

,anced position, a rotatable eccentric shaft mount-v ed transversely of said body, driving means pivlotallyconnected to said body and rotatably connected .to thel eccentricportion of said shaft, aec'l Having thus described the invention, we claim:

, 70. said resilient means urging said body into a bal-f prime mover, and means, including a iiuid coupling, between said prime mover 4and said shaft for transmitting rotation to said shaft to impart driving means to the eccentric portion of said shaft, a prime mover,

and transmission means, including a fluid coupling, between said prime mover and said shaft to rotate said shaft and impart reciprocating motion to said driving means to oscillate said body.

3. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body,

,a plurality of pairs of associated supporting arms pivotally connected tosaid conveyingbody, base means, resilient means independently connecting each of said supporting arms to said base means, means for stressing said resilient means to create 4balanced opposing forces between said pairs of supporting arms, said opposing forcesactingto urge said body into a balanced position, a rotatable eccentric shaftmounted beneath said body transversely thereof, driving means pivotally connected to said body androtatably connected to the eccentric portion of said shaft, a prime mover, and transmission means, includingfa fluidcoupling, between said prime mover and said shaft to rotate said shaft and impart reciprocating motion to the driving means to oscillate said body.

4. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, a plurality of supporting means pivotally connected to said conveying body,` base means, a plurality of torsion bars each having one end portion fastened to said base means and the otherend portion fastened to a supporting means, means for applying a twist to eachfof saidtorsion bars to create balanced opposing forces Vin said supporting means and urge said body into a balanced position, a rotatable eccentric shaft mounted beneath said body transversely thereof, driving means pivotally connected to said body and Aprime mover and said shaft to rotate said shaft land impart reciprocating motion to the driving 'means to oscillate said body. j

5. l'n an oscillating conveyor, aV conveying body,

-a plurality of pairs of supporting arms pivotally connected to said conveying body, base'means,

la `plurality of torsion barsveach having one end portion fastened to` said base means and the lother end portion fastenedto an associated supporting arm, means for initially twisting each of said torsion bars to create evenly balanced.` opposing forces between said pairs of supporting arms, said opposing forces actingto urgesaid body into a balanced position, a rotatable shaft,

having an eccentric middle portion, mounted transversely` of said body, a drive arm pivotally connected to said body and rotatably connected to each end of the eccentric middle portion. of said shaft, a prime mover] and transmission means, including a fluidcoupling, between `said prime mover and said shaft to rotate said shaft .arm to oscillate said body.

lsitely arranged supporting arm for 6. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, a plurality of pairs of associated supporting arms each pivotally connected to said oscil- 'lative body, a plurality of housings larranged in two longitudinal rows which each housingof one row arranged transversely opposite a housing of the other row, each of said housings including rotatable bushing means and supporting means with the 'bushing means of the housings in each row being in axial allnement with the support- `ing means o the housings inthe other row, the lower end portions of .said supporting arms each being pivotally mounted in said supporting means, a plurality of torsion bars each having one end portion mounted in said bushing means for rotation therewith and the other end portion mounted in the lower end portion of the opporotation there'with, means for separately rotating each of said bushings relative to their supporting arms to twist said torsion bars in the proper directions 'to create evenly balanced opposing forces between said pairs of supporting arms, a rotatable eccentric shaft mounted transversely to said body, driving Ameans pivotally connected to said body and rotatably connected to the eccentric portion .of said shaft, a prime mover, and transmission means, including a lluid coupling, between said ,prime mover and said shaft to rotate said shaft and impart rreciproeating to the .driving vmeans to oscilla'te said body.

7. In .an oscillating conveyor, housing means, a bushing rotatably mounted .on said. housing means, an arm rotatably supported by said housing mea-ns, a torsion bar iastened at its opposite end .portions to said .bushing and said arm to resiliently connect the same, and .means for turning said bushing relative to said .arm to 'twist said torsion par.

8. `In an oscillating conveyor, housing means, .al substantially cylindrical bushing, lhaving a centrally located opening therethrough, :rotatably mounted in .said housing means, .an arm, .having an opening through fthe lower end portion .thereoi' in axial alinement with the opening .in nsaid bushing., rotatably supported hy said .housing meansy a torsion bar having .its opposite `end portions positioned in .the openings 'in .said arm and said bushing for rota-'tion with the same, .and means for turning said bushing relative .to .said arm to twist said `torsion bar.

9. In an oscillating conveyor, `housing means,

'a .substantially cylindrical bushing rotatably mounted in said housing means, .said bushing having a plane area near the ,middle ,portion of its outer surface and ,a centrally located opening, an arm, having 'a substantially xcvlindrical lower end por-tion, rotatably .supported yby said housing means, said lower end ,portion `having an opening therethrough in axial 4aline-ment with the opening in said bushing, ,a torsion bar having its opposite end. portions ,positioned in the openings 'in said arm and said bushing for .rotation with the same, and means for applying a Iforce to one side o'f said .plane area to lturn .said 'bushing relative to said arm and twist said torsion bar.

l0. In 'an oscillating conveyor, housing means,

"a bushing, `hauling a centrally located opening therethrough, rotatably vmounted in said housing means, an arm arranged with vits 'ends at vdifferent elevations, having an opening 'in the lower end portion `thereof in axial 'alilnement with `the opening in sai-d bushing, rotatably 'supported by said housing means, a torsion oar having lts yopposite end portions positioned in the openings in said arm and said bushing, means for reducing the cross-sectional area at one end portion of the :bushing opening Vto clamp the torsion bar in the bushing, means for reducing the cromsectionai area of the opening in the arm to clamp the torsion har to the arm, and means .for tur-ning the bushing relative to the arm 'to twist said torsion har.

ll. In an oscillating conveyor, housing means, a bushing having a centrally located opening vtherethrough, rotatably mounted in said nous ing means, an. arm arranged with its ends at dii-ferent elevations, having an opening in the lower end portion there-of in axial alinement with the opening in said bushing, rotatably supported by said housing means, a 'torsion bar having its opposite end portions axially slidably positioned Ain the openings in said arm and said bushing and held against rotation relative thereto, and means for turning the bushing relative to the arm to twist said torsion bar.

l2. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, and means for supporting said body, said means comprising a plurality oi supporting arms each pivotally connected at its upper end portion to said body, oase means, resilient means 4connecting said hase .means and the lower end portion foi each supporting arm, and means ier stressing said resilient means to impart a turning moment -to said supporting arms, the turning mom-ent incertain of said supporting arms being equal to the oppositely imposed turning moment of 'the other supporting arms .to urge said bod-y into a balanced position.

1B.. In an oscillating eonveyor, a conveying iiody, and means fior supporting said body,l sai-d means comprising a plurality of pairs ,of sup'- porting arms pivotally 'connected at their upper end portions to said feody, base means, a plurality of bushings mounted in said 'hase means, a plurality of torsion hars each Ihaving one end portion clamped in a 4bushing and the other lend 'port-ion clamped to the lower end portion of an associated supporting arm, and means for separately rotating teach of Isaid bush-ings to twist its torsion bar, the 'twists in said 'torsion hars ce- 'ing in directions to create balanced opposing forces between said pairs or supporting arms lto urge said body into a balanced position.

14.1n an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, and means for supporting said body, said means comprising a plurality of pairs of support# ing arms pivotally connected at their Aupper 'end 'portions to sai-d body and each having a transverse opening through kthe lower end `portion thereof, vhase means, a plurality of bushings mounted in said base means having openings .in axial alinement with the opening in the lower end porti-ons of said arms, a. plurality of torsion bars having their opposite en'd portions axially slida'bly positioned in the alined Yopenings in said bushings and said supporting arms and held against rotation .relative thereto., means 'for Iseparately rotating certain of said bushings 'to `'twist their torsion 'bars in a clockwise direction, and

`means for separately rotating the remaining bushings to twist their torsion hars in ya counterclockwise direction, the directions Vand degrees of twist in said torsion bars being such as to create balanced opposing forces between said vpairs of supporting anus to urge sadbody into a balanced position.

15. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, 'base means underlying 'said body,"mean`s pivotally connected to the base means and to said conveying body for supporting the latter for oscillative movement, resilient reactor' means connected to said pivotal supporting means, means for connecting said reactor means to said base, means for adjusting the position of said connecting means relative to said base to urge the conveying body into a balanced position and substantially balance the inertia forces developed by the oscillations oi the conveying body, a rotatable eccentric shaft mounted on said base means transversely of said body, a drive arm pivotally connected to said body and 10- tatably connected to the eccentric portion of said shaft, a ilywheel rigidly fastened to one end portion of the eccentric shaft, a prime mover, and means connecting the prime mover and the remaining end portion of the eccentric shaft for rotating the shaft to impart reciprocating motion to the drive arm to oscillate the conveying body.

16. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, 'oase means underlying said body. means pivotally connected to the base means and to said conveying body for supporting the iatter for oscillative movement, resilient reactor means connected to said pivotal supporting means,

means for connecting said reactor means to said base, means for adjusting the position of said connecting means relative to said base to initially stress said resilient reactor means and to create opposing forces acting on said pivotal supporting means for urging said conveyingbody into a balanced position and for substantially balancing the inertia forces developed by the oscillations I of the conveying body, a rotatable eccentric shaft mounted on said base means transversely of said body, a drive arm pivotally connected to said body and rotatably connected to the eccentric portion of said shaft, a flywheel rigidly fastened to one end portion of the eccentric shaft, and driving means for rotating the eccentric sha-it to impart reciprocating motion to the drive arm to oscillate the conveying body.

17. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, base means underlying said body, a plurality of arms pivotally connected in spaced relation to the base means and to each side of said conveying body for supporting the latter for oscillative movement, separate resilient reactor means connected to each of said arms, means for connecting said reactor means to said base, means for adjusting the position of said connecting means relative to said base to initially stress said separate resilient reactor means, some in one direction and the remainder in the opposite direction, and to create opposing forces acting on said arms for urging said conveying body into a balanced position and for substantially balancing the inertia forces developed by the oscillations of the conveying body, a rotatable eccentric shaft mounted on said base means transversely of said body, a drive arm pivotally connected to said body and rotatably connected to the eccentric portion of said shaft, a prime mover, and means connecting the prime mover and the eccentric shaft for rotating the shaft to impart re ciprocating motion to the drive arm to oscillate the conveying body.

18. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, base means underlying said body, a plurality of arms pivotally connected in spaced relation to the base means and to each side of said conveying body for supporting the latter for oscillative movement, a separate reactor bar connected to each of said arms at one of its end porions and to said base means at its other end portion, means for applying and maintaining an initial twist in each of said reactor bars, some.` in one direction and the remainder in the opposite direction, to create opposing forces acting on .said arms for urging said conveying body into a balanced position and for substantially balancing the inertia forces developed by the oscillations of the conveying body, a rotatable eccentric shaft mounted on said base means transversely of said body, a drive arm pivotally connected to said body and rotatably connected to the eccentric portion of said shaft, a prime mover, and means connecting the prime mover and the eccentric shaft for rotating the shaft to impart reciprocating motion to the drive arm to oscillate the conveying body.

19. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, and means for supporting said body for oscillative movement, said means comprising a base underlying said conveying body, a plurality of arms pivotally connected in spacedvrelation to the base and to each side of said conveying body, a separate reactor bar connected to each of said arms at one of its end portions and to said base at its other end portion, and means for applying and maintaining an initial twist in each of said reactor bars, some in one direction and the remainder in the opposite direction, to impart opposed turning movements to said supporting arms for substantiaily balancing the inertia forces developed when said conveying body is oscillated.

20. In an oscillating conveyor, a conveying body, a base underlying said body, means pivotally connected to said base and to said body for supporting the latter for oscillative movement, resilient reactor means connected to said pivotal supporting means, means for connecting said reactor means to said base, and means for adjusting the position of said connection means relative to said base to initially stress said resilient reactor means and to create opposing forces acting on said pivotal supporting means for urging conveying body into a balanced position and for substantially balancing the inertia forces developed when said conveying body is oscillated.

ALBERT MUSSCHOOT. RICHARD F. BERG-MANN. CHARLES M. YOUNG, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,622,305 Bland Mar. 29, 1927 1,770,644 Hartog July 15, 1930 1,804,578 Walter May 12, 1931 1,819,784 McKone Aug. 18, 1931 1,986,102 Cole Jan. 1, 1935 2,068,592 Bergmann Jan. 19, 1937 2,230,420 Wilber Feb. 4, 1941 2,325,248 Johnstone July 27, 1943 2,337,174 Bebinger Dec. 21, 1943 

